Hindus have welcomed naming of a woman editor-in-chief of a Saudi Arabia daily newspaper for the first time.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, termed it as a “step in the right direction” for the desert kingdom.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further described it as “an important positive step forward which raised hopes”. This leadership role of women in newspaper industry, though largely a symbolic measure and long-awaited, was still quite significant by Saudi Arabia standards. The country undoubtedly was inching forward, though slowly, Zed added.

Rajan Zed congratulated Somayya Jabarti for breaking the glass ceiling as editor-in-chief of Saudi Gazette and he hoped that this trend of women reaching the upper rungs of corporate ladder would continue and strengthen in Saudi Arabia.

Zed pointed out that women had made significant contributions to Saudi society and this step would further their roles in the advancement of the country and world. Last year, women were appointed to previously all-male and influential Shura Council; in June 2012, Saudi Arabia announced allowing its women to compete in the Olympics for the first time; and in September 2011, Saudi Arabia announced giving right to women to vote and run in future municipal elections from next term in 2015.

According to reports, women are not issued driving licenses in Saudi Arabia, need permission from a male relative to participate in public life, cannot make life’s many decisions on their own and segregation of the sexes is enforced. But, women graduates in Saudi Arabia reportedly outnumber male graduates.